Watch Love, Honour and Obey
- R
- 2000
- 1 hr 43 min
-
6.4 (5,792)
Love, Honour and Obey is a British crime-comedy film from the year 2000 directed by Dominic Anciano and Ray Burdis. It stars Sadie Frost, Jonny Lee Miller, and Jude Law in the lead roles. The movie is set in London and follows the life of an ambitious but naive man, Jonny, who joins the local crime syndicate and rises through the ranks to become a respected member of the group.
The story begins with Jonny (Miller) working as a courier for a small-time North London crime lord named Ray (Ray Winstone). When he meets glamorous nightclub hostess Jude (Frost), he immediately falls in love with her. However, Jude is already married to Sean (Law), a dangerous and unpredictable member of Ray's gang. Despite this complication, Jonny soon starts to impress Ray with his intelligence and loyalty, and he is promoted to become Sean's driver and right-hand man.
As Jonny becomes more involved in Ray's criminal activities, he realizes that he has a talent for the business and starts to harbor dreams of becoming a kingpin himself. However, things start to go wrong when Sean decides to get married to Jude in a lavish ceremony, and Jonny is delegated to arranging the wedding entertainment. From here, the movie takes a dark turn, as Sean's erratic behavior causes tensions within the gang to boil over, and a violent power struggle ensues.
Despite the violence and the chaos, Love, Honour and Obey is ultimately a comedic movie, filled with eccentric characters, witty dialogues, and playful parody. The film pokes fun at the stereotypes of British gangster movies, while simultaneously creating memorable and likable characters that you can't help rooting for.
One of the biggest assets of the film is its stellar cast. Sadie Frost shines as the glamorous but conflicted Jude, bringing depth and nuance to a character that could have easily been a mere accessory to the male leads. Similarly, Jonny Lee Miller is perfectly cast as the eager-to-please Jonny, seamlessly portraying the character's journey from a wide-eyed innocent to a ruthless gangster. Jude Law is equally impressive as the unhinged Sean, bringing a dark and terrifying energy to his scenes that contrasts with his character's polished and sophisticated exterior.
The film also features a host of talented supporting actors, including Ray Winstone, who brings his signature gravitas to the role of Ray, the crime lord with a soft spot for Jonny. Additionally, there are memorable performances from Kathy Burke, as Ray's tough-talking wife, and Rhys Ifans, as a perpetually stoned member of the gang.
Another standout feature of Love, Honour and Obey is its vibrant and lively soundtrack, which features a mix of classic British pop and rock songs from the '60s and '70s, as well as original compositions by British band Orbital. The music complements the film's energetic and playful vibe, enhancing the movie's already strong sense of style and fashion.
Overall, Love, Honour and Obey is an entertaining and enjoyable comedycrime caper that effectively combines humor, action, and drama. It's a film that doesn't take itself too seriously, but still manages to create compelling characters and a compelling story. With its strong performances, witty humor, and stylish production design, it's easy to see why the movie has gained a cult following over the years.